(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) LONDON, Oct 2 (KUNA) -- The UK intends to reform its asylum policy to reduce illegal migration to the country, said a government statement.
According to 10 Downing Street, migrants granted asylum in the UK would no longer be automatically given settlement and family reunion rights, under landmark policy changes outlined by the Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The statement added, "The Home Secretary will introduce a fundamental change to the rights provided to those granted asylum in the UK, looking to end automatic family reunion rights and altering the requirements for long-term settlement in the UK."
"The Prime Minister is announcing the reforms ahead of his attendance at the European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen, where he will co-chair a roundtable with leaders on innovative approaches to tackling illegal migration," it added.
In the statement, Starmer said, "I believe that if you want to come to the UK, you should contribute to our society. That is the tolerant and fair approach to migration that our communities are built on, but the current system is not fit for purpose."
"That is why we're making fundamental changes to what those granted asylum are afforded in the UK. Settlement must be earned by contributing to our country, not by paying a people smuggler to cross the channel in a boat."
"The UK will continue to play its role in welcoming genuine refugees fleeing persecution. But we must also address the pull factors driving dangerous and illegal small boats crossings. There will be no golden ticket to settling in the UK, people will have to earn it," he added.
The Prime Minister is set to discuss the changes, as well as other ways European countries can work together to tackle the shared challenge of illegal migration, at the EPC Summit.
The UK had been facing a large of illegal migrants in recent years who arrived to English from the southern shores traversing waters from northern France.
Despite London signing numerous agreements with several European capitals, chiefly Paris, the phenomenon continued to grow with the British Home Office saying on September 20th that over 32,000 illegal migrants arrived in boats since the start of the year.
Starmer is facing public and political blocs' pressure to tighten policies against illegal migration. (end)
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